From: none@none.com99   
      
   On 1/21/2026 11:50 AM, Bob La Londe wrote:   
   > My CNC machines have limited work envelopes.  As a result I have   
   > modified a number of screwless vises to maximize use of the work   
   > envelope.  3 are 6.6 x 11.8 and only after I reconfigured the software.   
   > I long ago figured out a modified 5 inch vise with jaws machined back or   
   > other modifications worked best for y, and a 6 inch was an "okay   
   > compromise for X.  In fact a pair of 5 screwless vises modified to match   
   > would give the most working envelope.  I only have one five inch   
   > screwless vise.  I've been using six inch on the other two machines.   
   >   
   > Technically they are 4.72 (120mm) wide by 5.91 (150mm) jaw opening.  In   
   > the past I have just machined away part of the jaws, to provide wide   
   > opening, and small step jaw, and clearance for through holes in mold   
   > plates.  I think this time I'll do it differently.  Machine a grove on   
   > the flat tops of the jaws to add a secondary jaw.  Z height is limited   
   > on the smaller machines, but since I am almost exclusively machining   
   > plate no thicker than an inch it shouldn't be an issue to raise the work   
   > piece a little.  If I do have to work on somethign outside my normal   
   > scope I am charging extra for it anyway, so taking down the default   
   > setup is not a big deal.   
   >   
   > I have been wanting some screwless vises in this size class for a while,   
   > but they all seem to be over priced compared to smaller and even some   
   > bigger options.  A while back I found some from Tormach of all places. I   
   > put six of them in my shopping cart and saw I qualified for free basic   
   > shipping.  I didn't want to spend the time, and I forgot about them.   
   > Yesterday I was looking up something else on the Tormach website and saw   
   > they were still in my shopping cart, still a great price, and still free   
   > shipping.  I figured I better get them while they were still available.   
   >   
   > Now I might have some use for that surface grinder Jim was talking   
   > about, or maybe I'll just mill them and call it good enough.   
   >   
   > Anyway, the main point of this post was to let you guys know about them   
   > if any of you have a use. https://tormach.com/120mm-toolmaker-vise-   
   > screwless-33111.html   
   >   
   > Its a good enough price I was tempted to buy extras, and wait for them   
   > to run out, then resell them on FleaBay.   
   >   
   >   
      
   I've also been thinking about making a ground straight 1x3 or 1x4 bar   
   for aligning two vises together.  Not sure exactly how to manage heat   
   since my grinder doesn't run coolant, but I do have a couple cheap   
   import mist sprayers around... somewhere.   
      
      
   --   
   Bob La Londe   
   CNC Molds N Stuff   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)